jokerSmile

I believe the kid was only put in place to keep the feelings toward Lois and Supes alive. What women would leave their husband for a man that may disappear for several years again. She was very heart broken even resentful. So that tie is what still attracts her to him.

Even if the next movie doesn't include the Joker as a main villain he should be mentioned in the background. Maybe he is mentioned to break loose from the asylum and leaves calling cards for Easter Eggs.(Something like what they are doing in the MARVEL movies with Avengers memorabilia.) Who knows they may have extra footage or voice over from TDK that they can use such as they did with Brando in Superman Returns. I don't believe Ledger hanging upside down was meant to be the last scene that our beloved clown was in."

A new Batman?! Bale is a great actor I admit his rendition of the Cookie Monster in TDK was a little over the top but look at what he brings as Bruce Wayne, which is pivotal. Look back at all of the other Batman flicks and tell me that every moment Batman is on screen that you don't to scream at the screen "WHERES BATMAN." I don't know maybe it's just great story telling on Nolan's part....but back to Batman's voice Nolan is going with realism...meaning to cover all bases. In today's technologically advance world Batman has to disguise his voice all it would take is for Batman's voice to be recorded 1 time and if not disguise it could be matched up to Bruce Wayne's. Towards the end when he had to catch his breath in between every word, compare it to this have you ever ran around the track for a couple of miles. He just had an intensive action sequence, anyone would not be able to maintain a steady breathing regiment. Now as for what Crina said about Heath's performance, are you insane? He deserved every bit of praise that he got from his role, TDK was not a Saturday Morning cartoon, Heath's performance was epic. Every male watching that movie wanted to be the Joker but would probably be satisfied being one of his mistreated lackeys. Every actor before Heath was far to hoakie for the role, he is the only one that truly convinces the audience that he is maniacal as he looks. Heath truly recreated the Joker experience.

The Scarecrow was so short lived in TDK because it was the setup to show that he is nothing compared to whats to come.

A little addition to your plot Watchman, Deathstroke is supposed to be the best assassin in the DC Universe, so I'll use him instead of Deadshot(Although Deathstroke originated in the Teen Titans that just gives him more experience) Opening sequence shows a dark figure assassinate a well known public official in a supposedly very high security area, the Bat gets blamed. Word gets around and the mayor or whoever makes finding the Bat the law inforcements, main priority in Gotham. This begins a (K)night watch. After no leads Deathstroke is summoned. After the assassin is hired he tracks the Bat back to his newly built cave and sees his true identity. Waiting for a more pristine opportunity he leaves Bruce alone. Now that he knows the identity what does he do with it. This leaves room to add another villain, with the assassin notifying him of Batman's true identity. The truth is now known and Batman connects the dots and knows that Deathstroke set him up, so he thwarts the would be assassin's plan by fighting him to the death or just capturing him. Now that, possibly the Riddler, or insert favorite villain, knows the identity let the games BEGIN, Come out, Come out where ever you are.

Deathstroke was featured in the toy line of the Dark Knight. There is possibly a hint of the upcoming villain in the 3rd. I don't know how an assassin would tie into the story line but why would he be singled out? Nolan gave the okay to include him in the set of toys.

Watchmen, my eyes have been opened but honestly I still think they have too many similarities, if only to mirror each other. What you just stated is a comparison, contrast that would just look like they were trying to replace and show that they are trying to be different, but really they're just flipping the psyche of the villain. Riddler is a great villain but it's too soon for another psychotic, whether O.C.D. or just a plain Lunatic. We need something new.

The studios going for anything Nolan wants isn't the problem really, it's if the characters and story is there. From what it sounds like from all the post interviews the Joker was part of the script or ideas in the 3rd, but now that either has to be scrapped or recasted. Or there has to be a totally original follow up that can tie the loose ends. Nolan wants quality work attached to his name, unlike most Hollywood types chasing a paycheck. If it's there great if not we'll see what happens.

Please stay on the subject>(

In my description of the Riddler I did mention that he could be the mastermind, but his personality has nothing to do with it really. It is the fact that he uses games and gimmicks that makes him too close to the Joker. I just couldn't see the Riddler coming in right after. Maybe if there is another sequel? As for Catwoman, Bale's take on Batman is too serious to be wooed over by a woman in a cat costume. His promiscuous life as Bruce is only a facade to cover up or give him a social life in the eyes of the public. I really don't see any room for another female in Mr. Wayne's life, nor do I personally want to see one. Rachel Dawes was the only thing slowing the progression down, don't create another road block.

Hdawg, Here is something that I posted on the Dark Knight forum/comment page I thought delve deeper into one of your questions.
"Even if the next movie doesn't include the Joker as a main villain he should be mentioned in the background. Maybe he is mentioned to break loose from the asylum and leaves calling cards for Easter Eggs.(Something like what they are doing in the MARVEL movies with Avengers memorabilia.) Who knows they may have extra footage or voice over from TDK that they can use such as they did with Brando in Superman Returns. I don't believe Ledger hanging upside down was meant to be the last scene that our beloved clown was in."

Oh and about the Riddler, he would only work as a secondary character and as I said in an earlier post,(July 24th, 2008 3:49) "Riddler is too close to the Joker in contrast of gimmicky death traps. BUT! if the Joker is brought back The Riddler can be the mastermind while the clown remains the dog chasing cars. Or they can compete for the trophy prize. The BAT!" I also touched on Bane which wasn't very nice, but I feel he isn't a stand alone character either.

Nolan resurrected Batman from the flames of a burning franchise. He is the only lifeline, as important to the continuance of the storyline along with the character development. In my opinion no one else could appeal to the fans and the general public as well as he has done. If he doesn't return the next film will end up like Singer's X-men. Pieced together just to have an ending to a thriving franchise. The audience will come and see the film because of the buzz fueled from the previous installments but it will fall short of expectations. I believe if Nolan doesn't return it is not because he isn't passionate about the project it will be because he wants to create something bigger and better one after another, he fears rejection. If the script isn't there he will be absent along with it. I wouldn't blame him.

Hdawg, finally someone who has a plausible opinion on why not to recast. One error, to me, in your case though, I believe the quick ending of the Scarecrow in TDK was to show that he was nothing compared to what was to come, a petty thug, practice even. The Joker is the arch nemesis of Batman in essence there is no one better. So his presence needs to be felt if nothing else, you can't get rid of a character that was such a strong influence on the Bat's newly formed perception of criminals. Maybe just a quick MENTION of him in Arkham or even a MENTION of a breakout, I still like the idea of Joker Easter eggs hidden for the fans of the 2nd coming of the Bat. Never the less he can't be written off as less of a villain than the next chosen, he is the alpha, omega. I agree with what you are saying about how it could damage the perception of the Joker, I just couldn't wrap my head around the fact that people were saying he was irreplaceable. "Ledger was the creator but any good actor can mimic what he has portrayed."

Alright, not the best that Marvel has to offer but not bad at all. A straight up action movie comparable to the Lundgren version of the punisher, no character developement just action. I honestly prefer Ang Lee's take on the jolly green giant. It had depth but was drawn out. Hulk was the best Marvel COMIC movie cinematically, (the way scenes were connected in frames as if you were actually reading a comic book.) Iron Man takes the reigns as the Best MARVEL movie.

No X3 took a completely different direction than the prequels. It was made into a one line character display and took the story and killed off characters that they didn't want to write a story line for. It was condensed into a Hollywood action movie vs. Singer's in depth fairy tale of the assembled heroes. In essence it is a bad movie incomparable to the previous masterpieces. While Superman did not need the drawn out story line. The same formula does not apply to every movie. X-men is a character driven story, each hero has to have there place to fit in to the mix, needing longer air time, it can't be shrunk into a 1.5 hour film. Superman was already defined he did not need the drawn out intro back into society.

Even if the next movie doesn't include the Joker as a main villain he should be mentioned in the background. Maybe he is mentioned to break loose from the asylum and leaves calling cards for Easter Eggs.(Something like what they are doing in the MARVEL movies with Avengers memorabilia.) Who knows they may have extra footage or voice over from TDK that they can use such as they did with Brando in Superman Returns. I don't believe Ledger hanging upside down was meant to be the last scene that our beloved clown was in.

I get the Cookie Monster analogy, lol, but it just didn't seem clear that people understood why Bale used that type of voice. The reason for the deeper voice at the end is that he became angry. Also, I could imagine after talking like that through all BM's parts he became hoarse. That would become tedious and painful after a while.